Sale make two changes to the side which beat Harlequins, with Lionel Faure and Neil Briggs replacing Andrew Sheridan and Sebastien Bruno in the front row.

Winger Mark Cueto is back after injury, but is only named on the bench.

London Irish recall Peter Hewat at full-back, with Topsy Ojo reverting to the right wing, while Shane Geraghty partners Seilala Mapusua at centre.

Tonga Lea'aeota is at loose head prop, while Phil Murphy plays his final game for the club at number eight.

Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre:
"London Irish will be tough opponents. They have a good side and were unlucky in the Heineken Cup semi-finals when they narrowly lost to Toulouse.

"They have a very good record against us and I am sure they will be looking to finish their season on a high."

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith:
"It's possible for us to finish in sixth place and secure a Heineken Cup place for next season. If we're to do that then we must win on and hope that results elsewhere go our way.

"Sale have shown the true potential of their strong squad this season. They have been in the top half of the league for most of the season and deservedly so."

A little worried about the back five and the use of Sheridan on the bench! We need to win this match. But with Lamont, Cueto & Ripol injured what can we do?

Which Lobbe is playing, JM I assume. It's good to have 5 good options at the lineout (Jones, Chabal, White, Cockbain & Lobbe) considering how good Kennedy is at stealing throws. I'm guessing that is why Briggs playing rather than Bruno.

All they needed to do was win. Irish, aren't a bad team, but Sale at home with the momentum they had after the win at Harlequins should have slaughtered the Exiles today. I'm gutted. Absolutely gutted. I haven't felt so ****** off and upset since Llanelli lost to Leicester last year! What were the odds of Leicester getting through though? Bit of a shocker that, especially since their chances had been completely written off earlier.
At least next year Sale will have some more stability at fullback with Tait and better distribution with Peel. Shouldn't be a bad season next year!

Thats shocking though, they only needed a bonus point at home to a team playing for nothing. They've had some decent victories as well recently so never thought they would not make it. Sant Andre will be fuming, they have so much talent in that side, the most of any team imo but dont seem to use it and have no luck with injuries.

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London Irish's defence proved to be too good for Sale Sharks
</div>Sale missed out on a Premiership play-off place after suffering a disappointing defeat to London Irish.

First-half tries by wing Topsy Ojo and centre Seilala Mapusua, who crossed again in the second-half, proved enough to secure the visitors' victory.

London Irish's Richard Thorpe and Paul Hodgson were both yellow-carded late on but Sale failed to take full advantage.

Mapusa added his second try before prop Chris Bell went over in injury time for a consolation try for the hosts.

Sale's failure to claim a bonus point means they just miss out on a place in the top-four play-offs, Leicester taking the final slot thanks to a last-gasp try against Harlequins.

The Sharks ended up in fifth, just one point adrift of Leicester, although they are guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next season.

After a cagey start the game sprang into life midway through the first half with England prospect Ojo intercepting a poor pass inside his own 22 and sprinting the length of the field unchallenged to cross under the posts for the first try.

Just two minutes later centre Mapusua put Irish further ahead, breaking through weak Sale defence after a fine run by wing Sailosi Tagicakibau.

On the half-hour, Sale's Richard Wigglesworth advanced to within a metre of the Irish line, but that was as good as it got in the first half. And, with half-time approaching, Luke McAlister failed with a long-range penalty to round off a thoroughly poor opening 40 minutes for the hosts.

After the break, Hodgson collected his own chip and chase but his off-load was knocked on as another chance came to nothing.

Sale dominated the half but a combination of poor handling and a lack of composure prevented them from making any in-roads into the London Irish lead.

With 15 minutes remaining Thorpe was sent to the bin for ruck infringement to give Sale a man advantage. Minutes later Irish were reduced to 13 men with scrum-half Hodgson the next to be sent to the bin.

But Sale failed to capitalise, their wastefulness highlighted by Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe mishandling in front of the Irish line.

With time running out Sale chased the game, taking risks and that allowed Mapusua to cross for Irish to further increase their lead.

Deep into added time Bell crossed for Sale and Charlie Hodgson's conversion gave them some hope, but it was not enough.

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre:
"We didn't turn up.

"It was an opportunity to get to a play-off semi-final but we don't deserve it after that.

"In the first half we had seven or eight opportunities in their 22, but we lost the ball straight away.

"We knew they had match-winners but when you create seven or eight opportunities of your own and don't take them then you don't deserve to be in the semi-final."

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith:
"To come here and win with 13 men on the pitch at one stage was so courageous.

"It's a shame that we're not going to be in the Heineken Cup but we're going to give the European Challenge Cup one hell of a bloody go."